The Importance of the Smoke Detector

Smoke alarms are a critical factor in surviving a home fire. According to the National Fire Safety Protection Association (NFPA), roughly three out of five fire deaths happen in homes that either have no smoke alarms, or their alarms aren’t working. This is a startling statistic, but it highlights the absolute necessity of smoke alarms.

Smoke alarms provide families with the warning they need to safely evacuate from a burning home. In a house fire, every second counts.

What Kind of Smoke Detector Should I Install?

There are two kinds of smoke detectors, battery-operated and hardwired alarms with a battery backup. Some new technology also has carbon monoxide detection in addition to smoke. The NFPA agrees that ideally, interconnected smoke alarms are best because when one sounds, they all sound to alert everyone in the home.

For those who are hard of hearing or deaf, there are special alarms that include strobe lights and bed shakers.

Even if you have hard-wired smoke alarms, you need to replace the batteries every six months. Daylight Savings time is a good time to write on your calendar to change batteries in the smoke detectors in your home.

Where Should My Smoke Alarms Be Located?

The NFPA recommends having one smoke alarm in every bedroom in your home. In addition, they recommend that smoke alarms be located outside each bedroom and on every level of your home—including the basement. If your home is large, you may need more smoke detectors.

When you install the smoke detector, place it high on the wall or on the ceiling. You should make sure smoke alarms are at least 10 feet from the kitchen to avoid false alarms.

Change Batteries & Practice Escape Plans

As part of your home maintenance, you need to test your smoke detector every month. As mentioned before, change the batteries every six months. As you change batteries, take the time to review your family’s fire escape plan to make sure everyone knows the best ways to get out of every room.

At Raceway Electric, one of our top priorities is safety. If we can help you with any electrical need, please contact us!

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Create and Practice a Fire Safety Plan during National Fire Prevention Month

When a house fire occurs, it’s hard not to panic. However, the more you practice your plan—especially with children—the more likely everyone is to stay safe in an actual emergency. Below are the steps you should take to create and practice your fire safety plan, according to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA).

Creating Your Fire Safety Plan

1. Determine which areas in your house are escape routes. Be sure to walk every floor of your home. If your home is on multiple floors, be sure you have ladders you can use to safely escape from a window.
2. Make sure your windows can be easily opened and if not, do what you need to get them in working order.
3. If you have small children or older adults who need assistance, make sure you plan to have someone who will assist them in case of an emergency.
4. Choose a spot outside to meet your family. This could be at your mailbox, or in a neighbor’s yard. Make sure everyone knows where to meet.
5. Make sure your house number can be seen from the street. This will help firefighters easily identify your home.
6. If you have kids, you can draw out the plan for them in addition to practicing it.

Practicing Your Fire Escape Plan

1. Practice your plan at least twice a year! Usually, Spring and Fall are the best times, around the time changes.
2. Practice your plan together as a family, and then organize a “surprise practice”. This will help your family, especially children, be better prepared in an actual emergency. Don’t scare your children, however. You can let them know there will be a practice in the middle of the night when they go to bed so they aren’t terrified when you get them up to practice or they hear the fire alarm.
3. Practice escaping from all the floors. Make sure everyone knows where an escape ladder is and how it should be used. You can practice with small children from a first-floor window.
4. Practice getting low to the ground to avoid smoke and fumes.
5. Make sure everyone can hear, and not sleep through, a fire alarm. Practice assisting them if they need it.

Lastly, any time you have electrical work performed in your home, make sure you are hiring a licensed, and insured electrician, like the pros at Raceway Electric. Safety is our top concern and we believe in doing work the right way the first time to keep you and your family safe. Contact Raceway Electric for your electrical needs. For more fire prevention information, go to the NFPA website.

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